The new year will kick off with disruption for some residents as six weeks of roadworks is set to hit Weymouth communities.

Wessex Water will be installing a new water main in the Sutton Poyntz area at the start of 2019 which will affect residents in Preston, Sutton Poyntz and the nearby

area.

Wessex Water said old pipework is being replaced to improve the quality of water in the village and reduce the risk of interruptions to the village’s water supply from leaks and bursts.

Work will start on Wednesday, January 2 when temporary traffic lights will be in place in Preston Road and

Halstock Close for two weeks.

This will be followed by overnight work for approximately four weeks.

Sutton Road – the main route in and out of Sutton Poyntz – will be closed for two weeks from January, 21 with a second two-week closure in place starting February 4.

While the road closure is in place, motorists trying to access the village will be taken on an almost three mile diversion via Coombe Valley Road and Plaisters Lane.

The work is scheduled to be completed by Friday, February 15 at the latest.

Paul Delves from Wessex Water said: “Preston Road is a bus route with no clear diversion, so we’ll be working overnight in order to keep traffic disruption to a minimum.

“Some noise is inevitable but we’ll make every effort to avoid disturbance to residents and we’ll be working extended hours to complete the scheme as quickly as possible.

“Replacing supply pipes that are old and deteriorating is essential to safeguard a reliable high-quality water supply for the community.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the traffic lights and road closures.”

Secretary of the Sutton Poyntz Society, Bill Egerton said Wessex Water had been in touch to offer the society advice about the closures.

“They are keeping closures to overnight only which is a reasonable attempt to minimise disruption. For my understanding, the existing pipework is pretty close to its sell-by date and they are replacing it with long-lasting piping.

“I think if they don’t do the work, we will find they will be constantly digging up the road to do repairs so this is good preventative medicine,” Mr Egerton said.

He added the society was “reasonably hopeful” that the work would go smoothly.

Ian Bruce, borough councillor for Preston said: “These things are always difficult to manage but I have a lot of respect for Wessex Water for doing things correctly.”

He added there was “great village spirit” in Sutton Poyntz and he was sure residents would offer assistance to each other during the disruption.

Cllr Bruce urged residents to contact Wessex Water if they had particular concerns but added “if things are still not to their satisfaction I, as their local councillor, would be more than happy to take up any issues up on their behalf.”